Colonial powers and Islam
الدول المستعمرة والإسلام
A short chapter in which Arslan argues that the Allied powers in the First World War refused alliances with Muslim states such as Persia, Egypt and the Hijaz (the Sharif Husayn's alliance came only in 1915). In his reading they would not bind themselves to reward Muslim governments after victory. He concludes that colonial powers would accept no friendship from Islam and that Muslims paid in lives and money for their cause without return. This is his interpretation of wartime events, not a settled account of the powers' intentions.
At a glance
- Era
- The Colonial Era
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
Overview
In a short section, Shakib Arslan presents what he sees as the policy of the major European powers toward Muslims during the First World War. He says that Britain and France did not accept alliance offers from Iran or from Egypt, and accepted one from Sharif Husayn only after hesitation. He says the Allies did not accept alliances with Muslim states because they did not want to be bound to anything in return. He concludes that the colonial states do not accept even friendship from Islam, and that Muslims give their lives and wealth in their cause without return. This is the author's account of the events of the war, and it is not a conclusive document on the intentions of the states. 1
What is not recorded here needs a further source.
Sources
- Stoddard, Hadir al-ʿalam al-islami (Arabic translation with Arslan's commentary)
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Colonial powers and Islam”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/concept/colonial-powers-and-islam/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-17.